Climate Change 'Will Make Seas Surge Up to 16ft'

Climate Change 'Will Make Seas Surge Up to 16ft'

Article excerpt

THE risks of global warming are worse than previously forecast, a report warns today.

The document by scientists says the melting of the Antarctic is speeding up, raising the possibility of a 16ft rise in sea levels.

Fears that climate change may be nearing "tipping point" - beyond which it would be irreversible - prompted Tony Blair and Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett to call for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The document, Avoiding Dangerous Climat e Change, brings together evidence presented at a conference hosted by the UK Meteorological Office at Exeter last February.

In it, the head of the British Antarctic Survey, Professor Chris Rapley, says the huge West Antarctic Ice Sheet may be starting to disintegrate. He writes: "The last report characterised Antarctica as a slumbering giant in terms of climate change. I'd say it is now an awakened giant."

The report adds: "In many cases the risks are more serious than previously thought. …